Durban essentials

Compare the best Durban flights

When you think of Durban, images of beautiful beaches, water sports and sunbathing will immediately spring to mind but it offers so much more. As South Africa's third largest city, you will find an inspiring mix of natural and cultural attractions that will ensure that everyone enjoys their stay.

Whether you're looking for great beaches or cultural attractions, you'll be spoilt for choice in Durban...

For beach lovers, the Golden Mile is definitely where you want to be. This popular stretch of beach in the city is popular with tourists and locals alike and the promenade is home to a wealth of buildings built in the art deco style as well as a number of bars and nightclubs. The beaches here are separated by a number of piers and the famous Ushaka Marine Land can be found at the South Beach end of the Mile.

If you are interested in water sports the Mile is where you will want to head as well. The Indian Ocean offers a wealth of fishing, whale watching and perfect surfing to keep most everyone happy. There are also opportunities for whale watching, diving, kite surfing and equipment rentals along the beach itself. If you are more interested in the nightlife of the city, you will want to either stick to the beachfront or head to the northwest of the city. Here you will find a wide range of restaurants and street vendors as well as a number of bars and clubs.

In the city proper, you can explore a number of attractions such as the Botanic Gardens, Sugar Terminal, The Campbell Collection and Durban Art Gallery. The Bohemian Arts and Culture Centre is an absolute must see and you can check out their program online or on arrival.

If you plan on getting out of the city to explore the surrounding countryside you will want to be sure that you visit the Kwazulu Natal area and experience the home of the Zulus. The incredible scenery inland is most easily experience via car rental though if you intend to drive make sure you familiarise yourself with the advice provided for the area by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

There are a few options for your journey to Durban - find out the best for you...

With no direct flights to Durban Airport (DUR), you will need to connect somewhere. You can fly to Johannesburg from London Heathrow with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways for connecting flights to Durban itself.

Alternatively, Emirates has daily connections via Dubai to Durban from London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports, as well as from Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow airports.

You can also get deals with several of the European carriers via their hubs, such as Air France, Lufthansa and KLM, with a connection in Johannesburg.

Once you land, getting to your accommodation swiftly and easily will be a top priority. Here are some options...

Many people choose to organise car rental at the same time as booking their Durban flights though there are plenty of opportunities to do so on arrival as well. Car rental is by no means the only choice and, if you don't want to be driving on your holiday, there are a number of public transport options available from the airport as well. Several shuttle services ferry passengers to and from the city centre or you could organise a taxi or limo service.

Durban has something to entice all types of holidaymakers, no matter what you're looking for. Here are some options for where to stay...

If sun, sea and sand are on the agenda, Durban's famous 'golden mile' is a beach lover's dream, with stretches of golden sand to kick back and soak up the rays. A huge array of hotels along this stretch will give you plenty of options, so you won't have far to go to top up your tan. If you plan on being close to sights such as the city's stadium and museums, opt for a city centre hotel. Here you will also be able to admire the colonial architecture showcasing the history of Durban.

Alternatively, you may opt to stay on the hotel strip on trendy Florida Road. Here you can enjoy exploring chic boutiques, galleries, studios and restaurants at your leisure and you will also be within easy reach of golf courses and Mitchell Zoo.

If you're looking to stay slightly out of the city, the holiday town of Umhlanga Rocks boasts a blue flag beach, shops, and plenty of amenities, while areas such as Ballito are around 20 minutes away.

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